January 5, 2012

Australia: Pork industry submits levy increase proposal 

Australian pork producers are closing in for an increase in the pig slaughter levy.

Late last year, pork producers voted to endorse the proposal to increase the pig slaughter levy by AUD0.90 (US$0.93) over three tranches.

Under the Federal Governments Levy Principles and Guidelines (LPG) Australian Pork Limited (APL), on behalf of levy paying producers, is required to submit a business case for a levy increase to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The levy increase proposal outlines the reasons for seeking the increase in the Marketing component of the Pig Slaughter Levy.

With the submission of the levy increase proposal also comes the period of time in which formal objections can be submitted against the proposal. Any formal objections will be accepted by the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary or the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) within six weeks of the date of formal lodgement of the proposal, along with its supporting documentation.

The six week allowance for the submission of objections starts from January 03 and closes at 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (AEDST), on February 14.